Niger: Police arrest 20-year-old over alleged midnight attack, attempted kidnap of two women

The Niger State Police Command has arrested a 20-year-old man, Tukur Bello, over an alleged midnight invasion of a residence in Takuma Fulani Camp in Mokwa Local Government Area, where he reportedly attempted to kidnap two women.

The suspect, according to the police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, allegedly invaded the residence at about midnight on July 25, 2026, armed with a sharp cutlass, while the two women were asleep.

Abiodun said the suspect threatened to kidnap both women, but they raised an alarm, prompting him to allegedly attack one of them in an attempt to silence her.

According to the command, the victim sustained deep cuts on her hands during the attack.

The alarm attracted members of the community and local vigilantes, who reportedly intervened and apprehended the suspect.

The police said Bello, of Takuma Fulani Camp, was arrested with the cutlass allegedly used during the incident.

The case was initially reported at the Mokwa Divisional Police Headquarters before being transferred to the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Minna, on July 30 for discreet investigation.

The suspect remains in police custody and is undergoing further interrogation, after which he is expected to be charged to court, the command said.

The police spokesman urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements or threats to security agencies.